Toy wagon steering and braking system



Nov. 17, 1959 M. w. LA FEVER TOY WAGON STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEM FiledSept. 18. .1957

4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR MORTIER W. LA FEVER ATTORNEYS Nov. 17, 1959 Iw, LA FEVER 2,913,250

TOY WAGON STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 18. 1957 4Sheets-Sheet 2 52 PS0 I ATTORNEYS Nov. 17, 1959 M. w. LA FEVER 2,913,250

TOY WAGON STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 18, 1957 4Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR MORTIER W. LA FEVER ATTORNEYS Nov. 17, 1959 M.w. LA FEVER TOY WAGON STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 18, 1957 4Sheets-Sheet 4 a E F INVENTOR MORTIER W. LA FEVER ATTORNEYS secured tothe floor 4 of the wagon.

United States Patent Mortier W. La Fever, Hyattsville, Md., assignor ofthirty percent to Nathan C. Hale, Falls Church, Va.

Application September 18, 1957, Serial No. 684,726

3 Claims. (Cl. 28087.01)

This invention relates generally to toy wagons and jro "ice

Each bracket is provided with a pair of flanges 11 and 12 which engagethe floor 4 of the wagon and are secured thereto after assembly of thelinkage by welding or other suitable means such as bolts. Each bracket 9and is provided with a pair of spaced slots 16' and 17 of such adimension as to receive a pair of stay bars 13 and 14. Each stay bar isprovided with a pair of oppositely disposed struck out lips, one suchlip being clearly illustrated in Figure 6. Each lip 15 of each bar 13and 14 engages an inner wall of a bracket. 9 or 10 at the angle juncturethereof, while the bars 13 and 14 project through the slots 16 and 17.The projecting portion 18 of bar 13 at each end is provided with a holemore specifically to improvements-in steering and braking I systems forsuch wagons. p v

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved steeringlinkage for toy wagons.

Another object of this invention is to provide a steer ing linkage fortoy wagons which is so mounted and arranged as to reduce the sensitivityof the steering handle relative to similar systems of the prior art.

A still further object of this invention is toprovide a novel supportarrangement for the steering linkage of a toy wagon. V

Another object of this invention is to provide a simple and novelbraking system for toy wagons. A further object of this invention is toprovide a braking system for toy wagons which is operable by thesteering handle.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention resides inthe following specification and appended claims certain embodiments anddetails of construction of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view in side elevation of the toy wagoncomprising the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view in frontelevation of the toy wagon of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the steering linkage for the toy wagon ofthis invention; Figure 4 is a partially sectional and cutaway top planview of the wagon;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a portion of the supporting bracketforthe steering linkage of the wagon;

' Figure 6 is a sectionalview of the supporting bracket shown in Figure5;

' Figure 7 is a front elevational view of a modified form of steeringlinkage embodying mounting features of the preferred form of Figures 1to 6;

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the steering linkage of Figure 7, and

Figure 9 is a view in side elevation of the steering linkage of Figures7 and 8.

' Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 to 6 in- 19. 'Bar 14 isprovided with similar projections with holes therein.

Extending through the holes of each bar 13 and 14 in close slidingrelationship are the vertical sections 20 and 21 of stub axles 22 and23. On the horizontal sections 24 and 25 of axles 22 and 23 are mountedsteering wheels 26 and 27. Secured about each vertical section 20 and 21of stub axles 22 and 23 after they are inserted through the holes 1901?bar 14 are torque arms 28 and 29. These torque arms are secured tovertical sections 20 and 21 by welding but other suitable means such ascotter pins may be used. Connecting the two torque arms 28"and 29together at pivot points 30 and 31 is a radius arm 32.

elusive, the toy wagon comprising the invention is illustrat'ed ashaving a body 1 including side walls 2 and 3, a floor 4 and a frontbarrier 5. The wagon is illustrated throughout, except for the wheels,as being of metal construction. The improvements constituting theinvention may be readily adapted to wagons with wooden or plasticmaterial bodies.

The rear supporting wheels 6 and 7 are carried by an axle 8 secured tothe side walls 2 and 3 in the manner described in a copendingapplication Serial Number 683,242, filed September 11, 1957.

i The steering linkage for the wagon is most clearly illustrated inFigures 2 and 3. This linkage consists of a plurality of parts which arefirst assembled and then T he assembly includes a pair of angledmounting brackets 9 and 10.

Each stay bar 13 and 14 is provided with a centrally located, rearwardlyextending projection 33 and 34 respectively. Each projection 33 and 34is perforated to receive pivot rivets 35 and 36. A tongue 37 ispivotally secured to stay bar 13 by rivet 35. A brace 38 for the tongue37 is pivotally secured to the stay bar 14 by rivet 36. The tongue 37and brace 38 are connected to a U-shaped'bracket 39 by welding.Pivotally connected to bracket 39 by a pivot pin 40 is the wagonsteering handle 41. i 3

The wagon tongue 37 is provided with an offset portion 42 which includesa slot 43; Aflixed to the radius arm 32 and upstanding therefrom throughthe slot 43 in tongue 37 is a pin 44. The offset portion 42 of tongue 37is further provided with a vertical flange 45, to which is secured bywelding or other suitable means a relatively strong coil spring 46. Aforwardly projecting loop 47 of spring 46 is looped about the pin 44.

Projecting through handle 41 is a fulcrum pin 48 which engages in a hole49 in barrier 5 of the wagon. The fulcrum pin 48 and rivets 35 and 36are arranged to be in vertical alignment to aid in the steeringoperation'by handle 41. i 7

After the torque arms 28 and 29 are secured to the axles 22 and 23 coilsprings 50 and 51 are placed about sections 20 and 21 respectively. Thesaid sections are then directed through the holes 19 of stay bar 13where they are secured against removal by C-rings 52. At this point withthe steering linkage assembly complete the flanges 11 and 12 of thebrackets 9 and 10 are secured to the floor 4 of the wagon. Theconnection between the flanges 11 and 12 with the floor, the angledshape of the brackets 9 and 10, and the stay bars 13 and 14 with thestruck out lips 15 engaging in the angled corners of the brackets make avery substantial support for the steering linkage of the wagon.

When a child grasps the steering handle 41 and effects a steeringaction, he does so by moving the handle 41 about fulcrum pin 48 whichengages the wall defining hole 49. The tongue 37 will be moved by thehandle movement about rivet 35. The radius arm 32 will be moved by thetongue 37 by virtue of the lost motion connection between the slot 43 ofthe tongue 37 and the pin 44 of the radius arm. Movement of the radiusarm '29 and the axles 22and 23 connected thereto. The

3 arrangement of the radius arm 32 and torque arms 28 and 29 is that ofa movable parallelogram. Since the pivot points defined by rivets 35 and36 are offset relative to a line through the vertical sections 20 and 21of axles 2 2 and 23, it is obvious that the lost motion connection withthe radius arm 32 is necessary or the mechanism would not operate. Theadvantage in o'fisetting'the rivets 35 and 36 is that for a given angleof movement of the steering handle 41 the radius rod and hence thewheels will be moved proportionately less to somewhat decrease thesensitivity of the wagon steering. The wagons of the prior art utilize astraight one to one steering ratio, whereas this invention reducestheratio in accord with the offset positions of pivots 35 and 36. In otherWords, the effective portion of tongue 37 between rivet 35 and pin 44 isconsiderably shorter than the torque arms '28 and 29. Hence a givenangular movement of the tongue will be transmitted through the radiusarm to give a lesser angular movement of the torque arms 28 and 29. Anyangular movement of the tongue 37 is resisted by the coil spring 46which aids in straight steering, and acts to assist in returning thelinkage and the wheels to the neutral position after a turning movementis completed.

The braking system for the wagon is illustrated in Figures '1 and 4.Secured by welding to the underside of front barrier 5 is a mountingbracket 50. P ivotally secured to bracket 50 by a rivet 51 is a brakepedal 52 having an offset flange 53 at one end which is engaged by thelower extremity of the fulcrum pin 48. The other end of pedal 52 isconnected by a pivot pin 54 to a brake rod 55. Extending through holes56 and 57in side walls 2 and .3 of the wagon in rotary relationshiptherewith is a brake shoe 58. The shoe 58 is provided'with downwardlydirected ends 59 and 60 which when engaged against wheels 6 and 7 willprovide friction braking Affixed to the brake shoe 58 is a crank arm 61.The rear portion of brake rod 55 is secured by a pin 62 to the crank arm61. A tension spring 63 is connected to the rear end of brake rod 55 atone end and to the rear end 64 of wagon floor 4 at its other end. Thespring 63 biases the brake rod 55 rearwardly to keep the brake shoe innormal disengagement. The spring also acts to lift the steering handle41 through the contact between flange 53 of brake pedal 52 and thefulcrum pin 48. The child operator of the wagon needs only to depressthe steering handle 41 to rotate the brake shoe clockwise against theaction of spring 63 to engage the brake. Release of the pressure on thehandle 41 results in disengagement of the brake by action of the spring63.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a form of front wheel suspension andsteering linkage which is readily adapted to kit marketing wherein thepurchaser may readily put together a wagon himself. In this form of theinvention angle brackets 65 and 66 are provided with spaced slots toreceive stay bars 67 and 68. The stay bars 67 and 68 are provided withdepressed, struck out tongues 69 which engage against the inner sidewalls of the brackets 65 and 66 adjacent to the slots. Withthe stay barspositioned in the brackets, the upper portions of the brackets arewelded to a mounting box frame 70. The frame 70 is provided with aplurality of bolt holes 71 for mounting purposes. The frame 70 consistsof a single piece of sheet metal with depending flanges 72..

Extending through holes in the portions of stay bars 67 and 68projecting outwardly of the brackets 65 and 66 are the vertical sections73 of stub axles 74. Affixed to each section 73 is a base 75 for a coilspring 76. The upper end of spring 76 engages the underside of theprojecting end of stay bar 67. The springs 76 as thus mounted act asshock absorbers for the front Wheels.

Engaging the oblong upper ends 77 of vertical sections 73 of axles 74are torque arms 78. Connected between 80 is a radius arm 81. Suitableconnections with the steering tongue of a wagon (not shown) may beeffected at the hole 82 in radius arm 81.

It is therefore seen that this modified form of steering linkage supportmay be readily adapted to kit marketing and home assembly.

It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the preferred andmodified forms of the invention may be subjected -to numerousmodifications well within the purview of this invention and the appendedclaims.

1 claim: I

1. A steering system for a toy wagon including steerable "front wheelsand a body having a barrier extending upwardly and rearwardly over aportion of the body, the barrier being provided with a hole comprising apair of mounting bracket means secured to the wagon, a pair of stubaxles, each axle having a horizontal section to carry a wheel and avertical section to be pivotally connected to said bracket means, staybar means interconnecting said bracket means, said stay bar means beingprovided with an offset projection, a torque arm secured to the verticalsection of each stub axle, a radius arm pivotally secured at either endto a torque arm, said stay bar means, torque arms and radius arm forminga shiftable parallelo: gram linkage, tongue means extending from a pointfor: ward of the wagon body to-a point rearward of the radius arm andbeing pivotally connected to the offset projection of the stay bar meansand by a lost motion connection to the radius arm, resilient meansconnected between the rearward end of the tongue and its pivotal lostmotion connection with the radius arm to bias the parallelogram linkagetoward a neutral or straight-forward steering position, a steeringhandle for the wagon pivotally connected to the tongue to effectsteering of the wagon wheels upon turning by shifting the parallelogramlinkage, and a fulcrum pin connected to the handle and extending intothe hole in the front barrier of the Wagon, said fulcrum pin whenengaging said hole being in vertical alignment with the pivotalconnection between the tongue and the stay bar means.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said stay bar meansincludes upper and lower stay bars between the bracket means and whereina brace is rigidly connected with the tongue at one end and by a pivotalconnection with the lower stay bar, the said pivotal connection being invertical alignment with the pivotal connection between the upper staybar and the tongue and with the fulcrum.

pin.

3. A steering system for a toy wagon including steer.- able front wheelsand a body having a front barrier extending upwardly and rearwardly overa portion of the body, the barrier being provided with a hole comprisinga pair of mounting bracket means secured to the wagon, a pair of stubaxles, each axle having a horizontal section to carry a wheel anda'vertical section to be pivotally connected to said bracket means, staybar means interconnecting said bracket means, a torque arm secured tothe vertical section of each stub axle, a radius arm pivotally securedat either end to a torque arm, said stay bar means, torque arms andradius arm forming a shiftable parallelogram linkage, tongue meansextending from a point forward of the Wagon body to a point rearward ofthe radius arm and being pivotally connected to the stay bar means andto the radius arm, a steering handle for the wagon pivotally connectedto the tongue to effect steering of the wagon wheels upon turning byshifting the parallelogram linkage, and a fulcrum pin connected to thehandle and extending into the hole in the front barrier of the wagon,said fulcrum pin when engaging said hole being in vertical alignmentwith the pivotal connection between the tongue and the stay bar means,said stay bar means being provided with an ofiset projection in thedirection of the radius arm, said projection providing the point ofpivotal connection with the tongue and in which the other ends of torquearms 78 by pivot pins 79 and the connection between the tongue and theradius arm is such as to provide for a 10st motion when the linkage isshifted.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS "6Lewis July 2, 1929 Clark Jan. 10, 1933 Eck Jan. 14, 1936 Barthel Apr.20, 1937 Snow Feb. 27, 1940 Drake June 17, 1941 Elliott July 23, 1946House Nov. 9, 1948 Baehl Aug. 16, 1949

